Not once but numerous times we have all wished for the dreamy fairy tales to come true. We have all imagined ourselves in them. If only those pages were gateways, we would never really want to come back to the real world. Well, magic exists or does not, is rather debatable.
But as for wanting to visit fairytales, some places can make our dreams come true. From giant castles to lush green tunnels, to magnificent waterfalls, this world has it all. Hidden in different corners, such locations do exist. Perhaps, we cannot have a conventional fairytale of our own, but we sure can plan to visit places that make us feel the closest to them.
Here is a list of 10 fairytale locations hidden off in the real world:
- Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
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A real castle in the clouds, this 19th-century acclaimed masterpiece of military architecture is located atop Mount Hohenzollern, Germany. This castle is 768 feet high and is a delight to look at. On overcast days when it’s towers peek out of the fog, it looks nothing short of a castle in the clouds. Known for military and fortifications, the architecture is very picturesque.
- The Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
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Known as the favourite place of couples for a long walk, this 3-5 km long train tunnel in Ukraine is a section of industrial railway located near Klevan, Ukraine, that links it with Orzhiv. Covered with lush vegetation, it is also called the ‘Green Mile Tunnel’. The arching branches are covered with bright green leaves in spring and summer, making it a must-visit place. Even during fall and winter, the tunnel is a postcard sight. Local legend has it that couples who visit the tunnel were granted a wish, provided their intentions were sincere.
- The Sea of Stars, Maldives
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What if the stars come down to earth? Well, the Vaadhoo Islands in the Maldives can get you to experience the sight. The unique phenomenon of sparkling waters due to bioluminescent phytoplankton that shines a dazzling blue, makes it a sea of stars. The pictures of the place have been making rounds all over the internet getting it a fair share of admiration. This night sight is nothing less than what you might read in a fairytale book.
- The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
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Not every fairytale is sunshine and rainbows. Some have dark magic, ghosts and scary sights. If you are a fanatic of the ‘dark side’ then The Dark Hedges are a must-visit for you. It is an avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road between Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. After being used as a location in HBO’s worldwide popular TV series “Game of Thrones” the place has been receiving a lot more tourist attraction. Perhaps not a location out of a fairytale, but a location in a reel story that the world is a fan of, the Dark Hedges is a must-visit.
- Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland
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If you are a Harry Potter fan (Potterhead is the correct term) then you might recognise this at once. Watching the Hogwarts Express chugging towards Hogwarts, we have all wished for ourselves to be onboard. If the trains still take young witches and wizards to the school of magic remains a question. But this existing in the real world leaves us with hope. The railway viaduct (a specific type of bridge that consists of a series of arches, piers, or columns supporting a long elevated railway or road) is located on the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Built-in the 1890s this is a 100-foot tall bridge passes through some of the most breath-taking sights of Scotland.
- Cappadocia, Turkey
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This semi-arid region in central Turkey is known for its distinctive cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks valley that is often referred to as fairy chimneys. Declared as a UNESCO world heritage site, the beauty of this place rises a couple of notches when it’s horizon is dotted with a flood of hot air balloons which is a popular area attraction. Looking like a land of dreams, this place is sure to pay a visit.
7. Mont-Saint-Michel, France
It is a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, France. Apart from being a sublime scenery, the 708 A.D. built Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is its centre of attraction. The place served as an artistic inspiration for the castle in Disney’s Tangled. The similarities in the town and castle showed in the animated movie and this beautiful site are quite visible.
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
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This German town in northern Bavaria is known for its medieval architecture. The cobblestone lanes are lined with colourful half-timbered houses that will enchant you to just stay a little longer. The town looks even more breath-taking in winter when the houses are snow-clad and look like the perfect place to spend your winter days. The town also has one of the most beautiful Christmas markets of the country. All in all, the place is sure to give you a full festive vibe with all those colours.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Are you sure you’re not singing ‘I see the light’ from Tangled at this point? Because this place is exactly what Rapunzel wanted to visit. Once a year, on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai calendar the glowing orange paper lanterns fill the sky as the people celebrate the Yi Peng festival. The lanterns are symbolic of letting the negativity of the year go and inviting the new year with positive hopes. As the sky is filled with these paper lanterns, the sight is what one would call, bewitching.
10. Angel Falls, Venezuela
Do you remember Paradise Falls from the Pixar movie Up? Well, the Angel Falls is what served for its inspiration. Apart from being a land of natural wonders, Venezuela is the home to the world’s tallest waterfall – the 3,212-foot cascades of Angel Falls, located in the UNESCO-protected Canaima National Park. It is nearly 19 times higher than the Niagara falls. It is the country’s most popular tourist attraction. And if you were instilled with a loss of emotions while watching Up, you surely would want to visit this place.
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